February 2014 Interchange

Interchange February 2014, Vol. 42, Issue 2

Wyoming Tags Take Prize

Kudos given for best looking plate

Letters

Donated time much appreciated Dear state of Wyoming family, I would like to say thank you for the donated time, phone calls and prayers.

Not only did each of you get me through my first back surgery in June 2103, but also the surprise re-do of the surgery in September.

There was not a way I could have gone through both surgeries without my “state family.” To each of you I give my thanks and heartfelt love.

I can now stand straight and do so many things I was unable to do with the old, broken back.

God bless each and every one of you.

Karen Wheat Vance Right-of-Way

Gratitude for heartfelt generosity from WYDOT employees Dear WYDOT family, I would like to say thank you to those who donated time to me, sent cards, called and visited during my hospital stay and recovery. I truly hope you know how much your generosity touched my heart and helped us during my weeks off from work.

Thank you and God bless each of you!

Linda and Butch Shiers To my WYDOT family, I would like to thank everyone who donated sick leave to me while I was away from work with my hand surgery. I had only worked with WYDOT for a very short time before I had the injury, so I had almost no sick time earned at the time. I really appreciate all of the donations from everyone, even the people I’ve only known for a very short time.

Again, thank you very much!

Interchange Plow drivers appreciated I live in Laramie and work in Cheyenne. Therefore, I travel I-80 twice a day, 5 days a week.

Thank you, plow drivers, for keeping the road as safe as possible!

Glenna Hansen

WYDOT Driver Services employees are top-notch Too often in our busy days we fail to recognize the people that work with our many citizens in jobs that are certainly high stress. The driver’s license examiners office is certainly one of these. To deal with the many people that pass through their doors is a challenge from both a technological and public relations standpoint.

You are fortunate to have an employee such as Kathy Winger representing your agency. Kathy is professional, patient and an excellent representative of and for WYDOT. She handles many situations with tact and diplomacy while impressing people with her caring attitude.

A small child crying may not seem like a major issue, but she dealt with it with tact and provided the mother a sense of dignity. A small sucker solved the problem as opposed to allowing the situation to further frustrate all involved. She was professional in all her many dealings with clientele and exuded a welcoming and caring attitude for each and every person.

The same could be said for all the employees working in the office. I was duly impressed with all the people I observed.

Count yourself fortunate to have employees such as Kathy representing your agency as well as the state of Wyoming.

Gary L. Davis Cheyenne

Interchange is published for employees of the Wyoming Department of Transportation by its Public Affairs Office and a number of field correspondents.

Interchange invites submissions from all employees. Please send them to either your district correspondents or to: Carlie Van Winkle, Interchange editor, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY, 82009-3340. The Public Affairs Office may also be contacted by phoning (307) 777-4165, faxing (307) 777-4289, or sending e-mail to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Staff WYDOT Director: John F. Cox Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee Editor/Art Director: Carlie Van Winkle Contributors: Bruce Burrows Public Affairs Dave Kingham Public Affairs Carlie Van Winkle Public Affairs Ross Doman District 1 Jeff Goetz District 2 Stephanie Harsha District 3 Ronda Holwell District 4 Cody Beers District 5 Sgt. Stephen Townsend Patrol Photography: Rick Carpenter Public Affairs

Matt Mayfield Laramie Mechanics

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DOT publication

Also in this issue: Letters.....................................2

Contents 8

District briefs.........................4 Training at a Glance.......... 7

10

Extra Mile Awards................7 Noteworthy......................... 10 District news.......................14

c

In the Community.............17 Passings................................18

12

Break Time...........................19

g chin oa

plann ing

WYDOT by the Numbers....17

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performance manage 8 Materials Program start to finish

r e v iFrom e wasphalt to fencing, it’s quality tested instru 10 Power savings rewarded

Rocky Mountain Power issues rebate check

12 Midyear reviews approach

Be sure to check out the online version of Interchange at http://issuu.com/wydot.pao, or click on the link found on the employee’s internal website home page.

PMI coaching phase open until April 30

13 Wyoming license plate honored

Bucking horse wins again

On the cover: For the fifth time since 1936, Wyoming’s license plate has garnered the attention of the nation with it’s timeless design.

Artwork: Carlie Van Winkle

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District Briefs Nearly $12.8 million in contracts awarded

Cheyenne – Contracts totaling nearly $12.8 million for six highway projects around the state, including the 11th project to be funded through the state’s fuel tax increase, were awarded by the Wyoming Transportation Commission during its January meeting in Cheyenne.

The largest of the contracts went to Cheyenne’s Reiman Corp., which submitted the low bid of $4.9 million to replace the Lewis Street Bridge in Sheridan and reconstruct portions of the streets approaching the bridge. The new bridge will be built to the east of the existing bridge, which will continue to carry traffic during the construction. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2015.

Ten miles of US 18 between Mule Creek Junction and the South Dakota border will have deteriorating pavement milled off and replaced with a new layer of pavement under a $3.3 million contract won by McGarvin-Moberly Construction of Worland. The road carries heavy truck traffic, and additional fuel tax revenue has made it possible to move the pavement preservation work ahead in WYDOT’s project schedule. The project is expected to be done by Oct. 31.

Eight miles of Shute Creek Road in Lincoln County will get a new layer of pavement and be widened to include 4-foot safety shoulders under a $2.6 million contract won by Lewis and Lewis of Rock Springs. The road serves an Exxon gas plant and the work is being funded through the Industrial Road Program, which provides state funding to assist counties and communities with economic development projects. The contract completion date is Oct. 31.

TK Mining Service of Grand junction, Colo. submitted the low bid of $817,000 to replace and repair rock-fall mesh on the slopes above highways over Salt Pass, Teton Pass and in Snake River Canyon.

Rock falls since the mesh was installed in 2000 have damaged panels and split some of the seams between the panels of mesh

HQ

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that protect the highways below. The work is scheduled to be done by Oct. 31.

About 5 miles of new cable median barrier will be installed to improve safety at various locations on Interstate 90 under a $500,000 contract won by M Construction of Springville, Utah. The barrier will be installed at sites where the median is narrow and crossover crashes have occurred. The contract carries a completion date of Oct. 31.

M Construction also was the low bidder at $399,000 for a contract to build new right-of-way fence and replace worn out fence along highways in Sweetwater and Uinta counties. The new fence will be installed on WYO 430 south of Rock Springs, where increased truck traffic due to energy development has created problems for livestock owners. The work is scheduled to be done by Oct. 31.

Wetlands north of Marbleton and south of Hoback Canyon will be improved under a $255,000 contract awarded to Pab Good Trucking of Greybull. When highway projects affect wetlands, WYDOT is required to create new wetlands to replace the acreage affected, and this project will improve wetlands previously built by WYDOT. The contract completion date is Oct. 31.

Patrol warns against bringing Colorado-purchased marijuana into Wyoming Cheyenne – The new law that went into effect Jan. 1 in Colorado making possession of marijuana legal to sell and possess in that state has generated many questions for the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

The WHP has no plans to increase patrols on highways near the state line to look for those transporting marijuana into Wyoming from Colorado. It will be business as usual for the troopers who are always on alert for any criminal activity.

Any amount of marijuana, dried or in plant form, is illegal to possess in Wyoming.

Individuals who have three ounces or less in their possession may be charged with a misdemeanor violation that carries a penalty of imprisonment for not more

than 12 months, a fine of not more than $1,000, or a combination of both.

An individual found with an amount of marijuana more than three ounces will be charged with a felony which can result in imprisonment for not more than five years and/or a fine of not more than $10,000.

It is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance. A conviction of driving while under the influence of a controlled substance can lead to imprisonment for not more than six months and/or a fine of not more than $750.

Possession of drug paraphernalia is also a violation in Wyoming.

Troopers did see a slight increase in misdemeanor violations near the Colorado/Wyoming border when Colorado allowed medical marijuana to be legally possessed.

WHP advances to in-car computer aided dispatch and reporting Cheyenne – Advances in technology have come to troopers of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Although in-car touchscreen computers have been in patrol vehicles for some time now, troopers are now able to run nationwide driver’s license checks, vehicle registrations and will be able to issue citations right from the in-car computer.

The advances in the mobile data terminal (MDT) in patrol vehicles extends the reach of critical information giving troopers access to a statewide roadway map, two-way messaging, along with Wyoming and nationwide warrant queries.

Each trooper can give dispatch their status by utilizing the touch screen radio button status commands or by typing in a location. The touch screen method eliminates verbal radio traffic during high volume dispatch times such as storms and special events.

The MDT utilizes GPS technology where any trooper or dispatcher can open a real time map display to see where other WHP vehicles are anywhere in the state.

This GPS map function is most useful to dispatchers who need to dispatch the closest patrol vehicle to an incident.

Troopers will have access to several modules utilizing the Intergraph Computer Aided Dispatch (I/CAD) software to include arrest, DWUI and incident reports in addition to the citation module.

Once the reports have been generated the troopers submit reports to their supervisor for approval from the patrol vehicle with a high-speed network interface.

Once information for a citation has been entered, the trooper prints out the citation for the violator. The trooper immediately submits the citation to the appropriate circuit court and to the WHP data entry personnel by approving the citation.

This new technology will integrate both voice and data communications to and from field personnel allowing the WHP to better serve Wyoming.

see some improvements as early as this summer. The service road is slated for resurfacing from the business loop intersection about 1.5 miles to Airport Road.

The road improvements will also include some ADA upgrades to the intersections.

This job will be put out to bid in May. Evanston also was approved for WYDOT’s urban system funds to conduct some resurfacing of their residential roads and may see work begin later this year.

“WYDOT is making an effort to maintain as much of our transportation system as possible. As a result, Uinta County will see a lot of construction activities this year,” Resident Engineer Damon Newsome said.

Rock Springs – Although winter is still looming over Southwest Wyoming, WYDOT is already planning its spring construction schedule.

WYDOT engineers will be wrapping up work on WYO 410, Robertson Road, in the Bridger Valley. Fencing, fine pavement grinding and seeding will be taking place in the 2014 construction season. Also, as part of a separate district-wide job, Robertson Road will also be seeing a chip seal this year.

Uinta County will also be the beneficiary of two separate bridge rehabilitation jobs that will include multiple locations. Five bridges on I-80 through the Evanston marginal will see a facelift and support this construction year, along with one more over the Bear River near the overpass in Evanston.

WYDOT will also begin work on a 12 million-dollar I-80 job from milepost 28 to 39 near the Bridger Valley. In addition, WYDOT crews will begin another job on US 189 from the I-80 junction to milepost 10 that will include pavement resurfacing this year. Both resurfacing jobs have been awarded to LeGrand Johnson Construction Company out of Logan, Utah.

Wahsatch Drive in Evanston will also

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Photo: Stephanie Harsha

WYDOT begins scheduling 2014 construction work Roads, like this section of I-80, are slated for pavement improvement this spring.

Signal timing at intersections will be adjusted Rock Springs – Signal timing adjustments took place along Elk Street, Dewar Drive and Pilot Butte Avenue in early January.

Local traffic in Rock Springs should have noticed a change in left turn phasing, specifically a change in the order of the solid green arrow and flashing yellow arrows. The changes included the solid green arrow cycling first, where in the past left-turning motorists may have seen a flashing yellow arrow first.

As a reminder, solid green arrows mean left-turning motorists have the right-of-way and opposing traffic must stop at a red light. Green arrows may illuminate, before, or after the flashing yellow arrow, and may be skipped entirely, dependent upon traffic demand and time of day.

Should a solid yellow arrow appear, it means motorists should prepare to stop or legally complete their left turn when no conflicting traffic is approaching. The light will then cycle to a red arrow.

A flashing yellow arrow allows drivers

to complete their left-turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians present in the crosswalk. Opposing traffic has a green light and left-turning motorists must wait for an adequate safe gap in the traffic flow to complete their turn.

A solid red arrow means that left-turning motorists shall stop and wait for the next left-turn sequence, without entering the intersection.

At the intersection of Elk Street and Stagecoach Blvd., near the Flying J Plaza, the left turn phase will begin with a solid green arrow, while the southbound and eastbound traffic arrows will still begin with a flashing yellow arrow.

At the I-80 eastbound off-ramp and westbound off-ramp near Bombers Sports Bar, the signal begins with a green arrow, rather than a flashing yellow.

At the intersection of Elk Street and Center and Bridger, both the eastbound and southbound left turning traffic will encounter a solid green arrow first.

Northbound and westbound left-turning traffic will receive a solid green light and left-turns are will be allowed when a break in traffic allows.

At the intersection of Dewar and the belt loop near Chopstix Restaurant, westbound, left-turning traffic will see a solid green arrow first.

All left turn phases will begin with green arrows at the Dewar Drive and Foothill Blvd. intersection.

At the intersection of Pilot Butte Ave. and M Street, northbound and westbound left turns will no longer receive a solid green arrow and left-turning motorists will need to proceed cautiously when a break in traffic allows under a solid green light.

“There was not enough traffic generated on these side streets to warrant a leading green arrow,” Traffic Engineer Darin Kaufman said.

All of these intersection traffic signals will flash yellow from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., with the exceptions of the signal at Elk Street and Stagecoach and the signal at Dewar Drive and Gateway Blvd./Sunset Blvd.

Motorists and local traffic are advised to pay close attention to the signals, and only turn left when permitted.

“Drivers who are familiar with their neighborhood roads and signals sometimes turn on some sort of autopilot. That can be extremely dangerous, Briefs continued on page 6 February 2014

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Briefs continued from page 5

The driver, 21-year old William Lewis from Rock Springs, was arrested and has been charged with driving while under the influence, leaving the scene of a crash, failure to maintain a single lane of travel and failing to move over for an emergency vehicle.

The trooper was not injured, however his patrol vehicle sustained approximately $2,000 in damage.

The WHP would like to remind drivers that Wyoming’s “Move Over” law is there to be a measure of safety for emergency workers.

When motorists approach a stopped emergency vehicle while driving on the Interstate or other highway with two or more lanes motorists must merge into the lane farthest from the emergency vehicle.

When driving on a two lane highway motorists must slow 20 mph less than the posted speed.

Signal changes in Rock Springs will affect the intersections of Elk, Dewar and Foothills.

Stopped Patrol vehicle struck by hit and run driver Rock Springs – Occasionally, even law enforcement becomes the victim of impaired driving. Shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Dec. 29 as a trooper sat in his patrol car on the shoulder of I-80 working a previous crash, his car was struck by another driver heading eastbound.

The incident occurred approximately three miles west of Rock Springs.

The trooper’s parked vehicle had the emergency lights activated when he noticed a vehicle approaching from behind and encroaching towards his vehicle.

The trooper was able to move his vehicle slightly before the right rear of his patrol vehicle was struck.

The driver of the other vehicle did not stop and continued down the interstate.

The trooper was able to catch up to and stop the hit and run vehicle.

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grams and training that support further adoption of CNG use in vehicles. Station planning and construction will begin spring 2014.

Contractor asks for help with barrels/cones through Riverview project

A WHP cruiser sustained $2000 damage from a hit and run driver on I-80. The trooper was uninjured.

Grant for natural gas fueling station in Jackson awarded by state Jackson – The Wyoming State Lands and Investment Board voted unanimously to provide the grant funding necessary for the construction of a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station to be located at Shervin’s Independent Oil in Jackson.

Energy Conservation Works, the applicant, was awarded funding thought the Wyoming Business Council’s Business Ready Communities program for this project. As part of the CNG subcommittee for Energy Conservation Works, the Coalition was pleased support the town of Jackson, Lower Valley Energy, Teton County, Teton Conservation District and others in this successful effort. A portion of proceeds from each gallon sold at the station will be recaptured to fund pro-

Riverton – Citizens are reminded that is a violation of state and federal laws to tamper with orange barrels and orange cones inside of a roadway construction work zone.

The Riverview Road highway improvement project's prime contractor is asking for help from citizens, young and old, to help maintain safety through the project on Riverview Road in Riverton.

"The barrels and cones were looking good, but one night, barrels and cones were stolen and/or moved up and down Riverview Road. It was a mess," said Jerry Bornhoft, owner of Jerry Bornhoft Construction, Inc. "We want the work zone to remain safe for drivers, pedestrians and other people. Please don't move the cones and barrels; they are placed to designate the driving lanes and to enhance the safety of people traveling through this project."

Bornhoft said his work crews worked on Dec. 24, and didn’t return to the project until Dec. 30. The contractor will have people watching the project during the holiday week.

The speed limit across the Riverton Valley Irrigation District canal is 20 mph.

Traffic is being allowed to pass through the project from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. without being stopped by flaggers.

During the remainder of the work day, travelers may encounter delays of up to 15 minutes.

"Citizens are invited to attend a 1 p.m. work progress meeting every Thursday at the City of Riverton's Public Works Building on Monroe Avenue," said Robert Scheidemantel, WYDOT resident engineer in Riverton.

Jerry Bornhoft Construction, Inc.'s scope of work on the $2.8 million project includes grading, draining, milling exist-

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Photo: WHP

Photos: Stephanie Harsha

especially when changes are made to the phases and timing of the signals. We are asking that the public please take note of the changes and always drive cautiously and be aware of your surroundings. You never know when a light will change or a pedestrian will walk out in front of you.

Turn off the auto pilot,” said WYDOT Public Relations Specialist.

Extra Mile

ing asphalt, placing crushed gravel base, asphalt paving, chip sealing, removal of the existing Riverton Valley Irrigation District canal bridge, curb and gutter, water main replacement, sanitary sewer and electrical improvements, fencing and other work on .94 miles of Riverview Road beginning at milepost 2.16 in the City of Riverton between Rein Road and Augusta Drive.

Contract completion date is Sept. 30.

AWARDS Congratulations to our December recipients!

WYDOT salutes the following Director’s Extra Mile Award recipients.

The award is presented to individuals who have traveled the “extra mile” in service to WYDOT. Photo courtesy Cody Beers

Robert Haugen Deb Ferguson

A crane with wrecking ball was used to demolish the old Riverton Valley Irrigation District bridge late last year.

Culbertson Avenue bridge closed for annual inspection Worland – A Worland bridge was closed Jan. 22 to allow WYDOT workers to conduct its annual safety inspection.

The closure was in effect at 8 a.m. and the bridge remained closed until the WYDOT work is complete.

“People who normally use the bridge were required to use another route on Jan. 22,” according to WYDOT Maintenance Foreman Shawn Franzen in Worland.

Ten Sleep highway project meeting held Jan. 23 Ten Sleep – A public meeting/information sharing session for the 2014 Ten Sleep West highway improvement project was held Jan. 23, at the Ten Sleep Town Hall.

The Ten Sleep West project “is tentatively scheduled for bid letting this May, with highway improvements to begin this summer through the Town of Ten Sleep and three miles west of Ten Sleep on U.S. 16,” according to WYDOT Resident Engineer Dan McAfee of Worland. n

Dana Wood For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Janet Farrar at janet.farrar@wyo.gov or Mel Anderson at mel.anderson@wyo.gov.

Training ata Glance Here are upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT University and the Transportation Learning Network (TLN) Date Class Location

Feb. 4

Feb. 4-6 Feb. 11 Feb. 18

Feb. 21 Feb. 26 Feb. 27

Basic Full Depth and Partial Depth Concrete Pavement Repair Methods TLN 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Cheyenne Building Credibility and Influence WYDOT Only TLN Highway Wildlife Crossings; State of the Practice – Research and Usage TLN Bridge Construction Inspection TLN Creating Buy-In: Being an Idea Advocate Cheyenne Good Judgment Cheyenne

Coming up in March:

Mar. 3 Mar. 4 Mar. 5 Mar. 6

Asphalt Crack Sealing TLN Practical Coach Cheyenne The Mentor Relationship Cheyenne Highway Pipe Installation – Construction and Inspection TLN

To register, or to find out more details, call the Training Program and talk to Jim Boyd (777-4791) or Rhonda DeLeeuw (777-4790).

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Materials Program involved in projects from start to finish From recommending which highway sections need work the most, to the final check to make sure all materials used to build a highway have been tested and certified, WYDOT’s Materials Program is involved in projects from start to finish.

The program has laboratories that test virtually all materials used by the department, from the components of asphalt or concrete pavement to the reinforcing steel and bolts used in bridges and the paint used to stripe the completed highways.

“Essentially, anything that is incorporated into a project that’s materials related has to be tested and/or certified, from barbed wire to bridge girders,” State Materials Engineer Greg Milburn said. “We test lots of different materials and products in-house. We test how thick the galvanization is on the wire used in fences. We test bridge paint.

We even test the roundness of glass beads used to increase reflectivity of traffic paint.”

But the program’s responsibilities go beyond testing materials. Its Pavement Management System (PMS) is one of the primary tools used to decide if and when a project is added to the State Transportation Improvement Program.

Milburn

The PMS rates the condition of pavements based on roughness, rutting, cracking and friction using information gathered by consultants and Materials technicians who drive the state’s highways annually with special testing equipment.

The pavement condition ratings are used to predict the future performance of the pavement based on computer models. That helps WYDOT determine which highway sections need work the most, and the appropriate rehabilitation strategies to use.

Once a project is added to the STIP, engineers in the Materials Program begin working to find what kind of surfacing materials should be used and how thick each layer needs to be.

The pavement thickness recommended depends on current and projected traffic volumes, particularly for trucks, the stability of the soil and geology under the route and how long the pavement is expected to last.

“Whether it’s concrete or asphalt, or if the project is for maintenance, rehabilitation, reconstruction or new construction, we design it for a particular life,” Milburn said. “We design for 10-year, 20-year and 30-year life spans.”

For highways with relatively consistent traffic volumes, the rec-

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ommended thickness of the pavement can vary widely based on the soil conditions under the road.

“We need to know how strong the roadbed will be,” Milburn said.

“Geology drills it and sends us samples to test. We have areas with completely different soils. We might have some clays in one area and some sandstones in another. So that’s where you’ll see the thicknesses change significantly.”

Some sections of I-90 have pavement 2-feet thick, with another 2 feet of crushed base and subbase below, while sections of other highways have only two inches of pavement over three or four inches of crushed base and have not required major rehabilitation since they were built in the 1940s, he said.

If a project involves reconstruction or new construction, Materials works with Project Development and the districts to determine what kind to pavement to use.

Concrete doesn’t rut or shove, so it has advantages for urban areas where there will be frequent turning, stopping and starting, Milburn said. Asphalt pavements tend to be quieter and ride smoother so they have advantages as well. The decision tree on which type of pavement to use includes looking not only at what it will cost to build the road, but what routine maintenance it will take for the road to get to

its expected design life.

“When we look at a plant mix road, it may be a 20-year design, but we know we’re going to have to go out there and do a crack seal or some chip sealing or a thin overlay if we structurally want to get that pavement section to 20 years,” he said.

Depending on the project, the crushed base and aggregate required may come from a commercial source or WYDOT may provide a source. In either case, Materials tests the size gradations of the aggregate, the strength of the crushed base, and the individual aggregate properties to make sure they meet specifications.

Once a project goes to contract, Materials provides the resident engineer on the project with a list of the tests and certifications that will be required.

“We tell them what they should be testing and the frequency of the tests,” Milburn said. “We provide support to resident engineering during the project construction when issues involving construction materials arise.”

Each week during construction season, a Materials Program representative drives a circuit around the state to pick up samples to be tested at the lab in Cheyenne.

“He gets back at the end of the week with a truck full of samples, whether for an asphalt mix design, crushed base or steel,” Milburn said. “Recently we’ve even gotten involved in testing fence posts, to see the depth of the penetration of the treatment.

“We do compression tests on the concrete cylinders that the resident engineers’ crews are casting and sending to us. We condition those and then we break them. When we’re breaking steel, this whole building will shake.”

The lab gets hundreds of gallons of asphalt samples from all the refineries and suppliers in the area for testing. “We test emulsified asphalts, cut-back asphalts, asphalt binders and crack sealants,” Milburn said. “These products are tested for many properties ranging from viscosity to elasticity under severe atmospheric conditions.”

The program also has a mobile lab that spends the construction season on the road traveling to the sites of any projects that need it.

“The purpose of this is to be able to go to projects quickly and provide support,” Milburn said. “When a resident engineer is having some issues with a particular mix on the road, we send our mobile lab out.”

Once a project is done, Materials does a final check to make sure all the testing and certifications required were completed.

“We look at all the materials-related items – certifications for the rebar or the paint, the gradations or the tests and the pay factors,” Milburn said. “If we find anything missing, we work with the resident engineer to get that test result or that certification.”

The program’s involvement in projects from start to finish means Materials personnel often have Materials employees put materials through rigorous testing before any appearance on a highway.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Rick Carpenter

From asphalt to traffic paint, if it’s a compound to be used on the state’s highways, the Materials Program tests it.

to have expertise in more than one area.

Engineers who make thickness recommendations also review mix designs, provide construction support to the resident engineers, and then assist in the finals process.

“We’re involved all the way from the Pavement Management System selecting candidate projects to the finals process of putting those jobs to bed,” Milburn said. “We’re really the last set of eyes on a project. We wear many hats here.”

The program’s Field Services Division does bridge deck inspections and during the winter collects core samples from pavements.

The cores can be used to measure pavement thickness and analyze the quality of the mix.

Field Services also does falling weight deflectometer testing.

Using equipment that drops a heavy weight onto the pavement or ground, the crew measures the resulting deflections to determine the strength of the pavement or subgrade below.

All the personnel in the lab in Cheyenne, the mobile lab and anyone performing tests in the field must be trained and certified, and the equipment they use must be accredited and calibrated annually.

“We carry an AASHTO accreditation, which isn’t easy to get,” Milburn said. “All of these guys are experienced and exposed to these different tests and they’re tested by national inspectors. So that keeps them busy maintaining their certifications and staying up on the specifications and making sure they’re dialed in.”

WYDOT has its own tester certification program operated by Materials in conjunction with the University of Wyoming’s Civil Engineering Department, which provides classes on concrete, asphalt and aggregate, and soils.

“Every tester who tests on a WYDOT job, whether a consultant or someone on a resident engineering crew, must be certified, Milburn said. “At the end of the job, we’re not just making sure that they did all the tests, we’re making sure the people who did the tests are certified.”

In addition to testing materials being used on current projects, Materials also is involved in research on new products to determine whether they will be useful for WYDOT. “The technology changes very rapidly, so we’re heavily involved in the evaluation and installation of different products,” Milburn said.

Currently products are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to see how they would work on a specific project, but developing a preapproved product list is a goal of the Materials Program.

“We get thousands of materials that show up on our dock for testing on an annual basis,” Milburn said. “Those guys stay hopping back there and they get exposed to a lot of different types of materials and different tests. It’s very diverse and challenging, and I think it keeps the job interesting.”

– Dave Kingham

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$100,000 rebate Rocky Mountain Power presented WYDOT with a $100,519 check on Jan. 13 as a rebate for the reduction in energy demand the department has achieved through its energy conservation upgrades.

Ron Wild, Rocky Mountain Power’s corporate and community account manager in Casper, said the rebate comes through the utility’s Wattsmart program, which rewards customers for reducing demands on the power infrastructure.

“It reduces the requirements for the infrastructure to transport energy, and by doing that it makes us more profitable because we don’t have to go out and build more infrastructure,” Wild said.

Checks previously received from Cheyenne, Light, Fuel and Power Co. bring the total rebates WYDOT has received as a result of the energy efficiency upgrades to $145,000. That money is in addition to the amount being saved on the department’s monthly utility bills.

The upgrades in lighting, boilers, ventilation and other equipment were projected to save the department about $180,000 a year, but State Field Operations Engineer Mark Eisenhart said early indications are the savings will be closer to $218,000 a year.

Those cost savings will be used to pay off the bonds that were issued to fund the improvements, and the rebates from utilities will pay for the energy audit underway to begin the second phase of the initiative.

The first phase of improvements affected about half of the de-

Harsha, Van Winkle honored District 3 Public Involvement Specialist Stephanie Harsha and Public Affairs Graphic Designer Carlie Van Winkle were honored with associates awards at the annual Wyoming Press Association convention in Laramie Dec. 17.

Harsha was awarded first place for magazine article writing for her story in the May 2013 Interchange about WYDOT’s maintenance crews assisting in the opening of Yellowstone National Park roads last spring. “Great example of good, thorough coverage of a story with national interest,” the judges wrote of the story. “Very well done.”

Her series of news releases on WYDOT’s Flaming Gorge Road project finished second in the category for a series of three or more releases dealing with a single topic, and her news release on the effects of flooding in the La Barge area in September received honorable mention in the single news release category.

Van Winkle’s layout of a two-page spread in the August Interchange about Patrol’s 1954 Buick Special won third place in the page layout and design category. n

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partment’s buildings around the state, and the second phase will upgrade the other half and possibly some of its outdoor lighting.

“We’re doing everything from loader sheds to all the buildings out there, so once we’re done with the next phase we will have touched every building,” Eisenhart said. “We should realize the same kind of savings that we have from the first phase.”

The life expectancy of the savings is 20 to 25 years, so the savings should continue five to 10 years after the bonds are paid off. n

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Noteworthy Rocky Mountain Power gives WYDOT

State Field Operations Engineer Mark Eisenhart (left) with Ron Wild from Rocky Mountain Power. Wild presented Eisenhart with a $100,000 energy saving rebate check last month.

Wyoming traffic fatalities drop to lowest since the year 1945 According to preliminary numbers, it appears Wyoming’s highway traffic fatality count in 2013 will be the lowest it has been since the year 1945 which saw 71 fatalities in the state. As it stands, Wyoming’s 2013 traffic fatality count from vehicle crashes will account for 86 deaths for the year.

The 2013 number is down 34 fatalities as reported for the previous year in 2012 or a 28.3 percent reduction for the year.

These numbers reflect all fatal traffic crashes and reported fatalities investigated by city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies across the state on public roadways.

The deadliest period Wyoming has ever seen was back in 1981 with a record 261 traffic fatalities reported for the year.

The WHP’s priority as leaders in highway safety is the reduction of highway fatalities. The men and women of the Highway Patrol have worked aggressively in the last year to reduce the number of vehicle crashes and highway fatalities.

Each patrol division formulated a strategic plan for reducing fatalities in their area of responsibility. Col. John Butler, WHP administrator, also recognizes the efforts by the Wyoming Sheriffs, Chiefs and Wyoming State Parks who continually demonstrate their commitment to reducing crashes and fatalities in their areas of responsibility.

It is difficult to pinpoint any one program or method that has resulted in the 2013 fatality reduction. WHP has focused its efforts on education and awareness, including a sustained media effort throughout the year.

Troopers across the state have participated in high visibility traffic enforcement efforts on three big holiday periods during the summer while also including the recent Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays.

Troopers continue to partner with local law enforcement in DUI Task Forces, WYDOT, the Wyoming Governor’s Council on

“I wear my seat belt because it is safe,” Keller said. “I was driving down the highway, and my truck left the driving lane. When I corrected it, it was too icy and my truck flipped while driving about 55 mph.”

Keller suffered bruises to his arms, legs and chest from the seat belt in the crash. “My neck is a little sore from whiplash, and I’m a little sore from the air bag, but that’s it. I’m OK because I was wearing my seat belt,” he said.

Keller is an advocate for seat belt use to his wife, Ramona, his children and his grandchild.

“I’m stiff and sore, but I’ll be more cautious after this wreck.

The amazing thing is the other drivers were not slowing down.

That shocked me,” Keller said.

Keller has advice for other drivers.

“Slow down in bad conditions, and wear your seat belt,” he said.

Fremont County’s seat belt survivor recognition program is sponsored by Injury Prevention Resources, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, and WYDOT. n Impaired Driving and initiatives which promote highway safety during times and events which demand additional law enforcement presence.

Unrestrained motorists and passengers in fatal crashes are down by 23.8 percent from the previous year.

WHP is already planning to participate in a nationwide state police, highway patrol and Canadian provincial police campaign “Drive to Zero Deaths.” The campaign’s goal is to reduce highway fatalities in each state and province by 15 percent in 2014.

Even though a “Drive to Zero Deaths” initiative may seem unrealistic, one traffic fatality is still too many.

“The Wyoming Highway Patrol continues its commitment to saving lives even beyond the numbers observed during 2013,” said Col. Butler. n

Photo: WYDOT file

John Keller has worn his seat belt since before it was mandated by state law, and his dedication paid off Christmas Eve when he lost control on an icy Wyoming 789 and his vehicle flew 39 feet off the roadway and landed on its top.

The Lander man is a Tom Cunningham of Injury Prevention Resources (left) presenting John Keller of Lander seat belt survivor. with the seat belt survivor award.

Keller, 75, was driving his 2006 Nissan pickup south of Lander when the crash occurred about 8:40 a.m. on Dec. 24.

Photo courtesy Cody Beers

Seat belt usage saves Lander man in WYO 789 crash

High visibility traffic enforcement efforts by WHP and other agencies may have made an impact on number of highway fatalities in 2013.

Continued efforts hope to have current low fatality numbers drop further.

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PMI performance management instrument

It’s that magical time of year again – you know, the one after side of the job and then the supervisor should talk about attenNew Year’s Eve and before the Fourth of July? The Performance dance, appearance, rules and policies, and use of leave.”

Management Instrument (PMI) midterm review and coaching A minor change this year will be necessary for a supervisor if phase will kickoff the first of March this year. Supervisors are they add a new goal for an employee. Adding goals is not a new encouraged to begin this process early, as the review and coachfeature, however the placement of this feature on the Halogen ing phase has been shortened from 90 to 60 days. website has changed. Supervisors will need to enter the goals Lori Mischan, who oversees PMIs for the Department of section named “If Needed Set New Mid-Year Goals.” This is necAdministration and Information (A&I), urges supervisors to essary for new goals to be populated and saved on the employee’s not procrastinate, but instead get an early start. Deadline for the page prior to moving forward to the evaluation phase. midterm review is the last day of April.

Supervisors should be aware that changes made on the perforThe purpose of the midyear review is to give each employee mance page of Halogen are not pulled directly into the midyear constructive feedback about their duties and whether they are form. If changes were made on the performance page, the items moving in the right direction and performing in a way that will will need to be copied and pasted from the performance page make them more successful. to the midyear form. If goals have changed for an employee, or Core competencies set during last November’s planning phase the goal has been attained, now is the time to change or add new will be revisited during the midterm review. These competencies goals. are expected of each job in the areas of communication, customMuch of the feedback from state employees about the PMI er service, judgment and decision making, personal effectiveness process is to minimize the amount of steps an employee and and being a team player. Likewise, supervisors coach their emsupervisor need to complete in the process. ployees on following departmental policies, rules and regulations “There is a lot of back and forth that happens now between in the use of leave, maintaining their work schedule, appearance a supervisor an employee and the supervisor’s supervisor,” said and work performance.

Foster. “A&I is working on changing the PMI process so there are “From a managerial point of view, the PMI is an excellent fewer steps and less repetition.” way to electronically track the improvements of an employee In the third year of using the PMI system here at WYDOT, the throughout their career at WYDOT,” said Brian Foster, deputy midterm review process has been simplified to three steps from human resources manager. “Before this system, there was no the previous four-step process. The reviewer steps have been way to track if the reviews were getting done, if they were getting removed from the midterm cycle leaving the goal setting and done in a timely manner or what the ratings were. Overall, this is workplace coaching items for the manager, employee comments a good system.” and sign off, and the final managerial sign off to finalize.

Coaching midyear is especially beneficial for those superviThe PMI process will always have the three-step process – sors who manage their employees from a distance and don’t have planning and goal setting, midyear review and final summary an opportunity to interact with their staff on a day-to-day basis. evaluation, but A&I is looking to shorten the overall process for Employees should expect to discuss how the goals established future review sessions with state employees. in their November planning meeting are being achieved at this – Carlie Van Winkle midyear mark and move forward from those. Supervisors will be highlighting goals met, performance issues along with other competencies relating to the position.

“Supervisors will go through the goals that were set earlier with the employee and make sure the goals are still appropriate and if the employee is on schedule to complete them by the established dates,” said Foster.

The midyear forms do not list the definitions and target ranges for each competency. These items “There will be a revisit of the competency can be viewed fully, as needed, through a pop-up screen by clicking on the competency.

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It all started with a bucking horse Wyoming plates top list again Wyoming’s license plate design has again been chosen as the best in the country, this time in a survey of licensed drivers commissioned by CarInsurance.com.

Two-thousand drivers distributed proportionately by region around the nation were asked to name the five license plates they found most attractive, and the five they found least attractive.

Wyoming’s current plate featuring the signature bucking horse and rider logo with the Tetons in the background was the most popular, followed by the plates of Hawaii, Utah, Alabama and Oregon.

“These plates are unique and uncommon, and their bright colors and graphic images are easily distinguished at a distance,” said CarInsurance.com Managing Editor Des Toups. “License plates used to be a calling card for your home state. The best ones still are.”

The plates voted least attractive were from Delaware, Arkansas, Michigan, Alaska and Virginia.

Wyoming’s plates have been honored previously in 1972, 1978 and 2001 with the License Plate Collectors Association’s Plate of the Year award. The ’72 plates featured a brown logo and numbers on a yellow background. The ’78 plates were white with brown numbers and a rustic wood and fence design. The ’01 plates featured Devils Tower in the background.

The bucking horse logo made its debut on the plates in 1936.

State law now requires the logo appear on the plates, and that new plates be issued every eight years. The next plate design will debut in 2017.

– Dave Kingham

Wyoming license plate honorees shown above; 1936, 1972, 1978, 2001 and the current 2009 plate. The 977 license plate collection was donated to WYDOT by the Howard L. Burke family.

This collection, currently housed in the license plate facility, includes an example of every plate issued by the state as far back as 1913.

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District News

Richard Robbins, Port Of Entry-Cheyenne U.S. 85 – 20 years; Jeffery Ayers, Patrol Dispatch – 10 years; Felicia Johnston, Patrol Dispatch – 10 years; James Klopfer, IT-FiSteinbrenner nancial Systems – 10 years; Roberts Shannon Quenzer, Patrol Dispatch – 10 years; Dale Roberts, Equipment-Mechanics – 10 years; Kathleen Sherrod, Patrol Dispatch – 10 years; Ryan Steinbrenner, Materials-Administration – 10 years; Eli McIrvin, Highway Development-Project DevelopmentUtilities – 5 years; and James Whetstone, Geology-Drillers – 5 years.

Headquarters

Welcome Kurt Borgaard, Training; Tory Meisel, Aeronautics-Flight Operations; and Sheryl Taylor, Aeronautics-Air Service.

Promotions and Transfers Andrew Wallerstein, Facilities Management-Security.

David Hay, BridgeEngineering Design – 35 years; Valerie Padilla,Patrol-Safety and Training – 35 years; Gary Krause, Highway DevelopFacilities Management Program Manager Ray ment-Photogramme- Vigil (center) receiving his 30-year service try/Survey – 30 years; award from State Engineer Del McOmie (right) and State Field Operations Engineer Mark Raymond Vigil Eisenhart (left).

Jr., Facilities Management-Administration – 30 years; Jason Ban, Highway Development-Project Development – 20 years; James Ditsch, Highway Development-Project Development-Utilities – 20 years; Terrie Hockin, Driver Services-Casper – 20 years; Ban Ditsch

Robbins

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Quenzer

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Service Awards

Tony Laird, state highway development engineer, sharing an item with Victoria Stonehill at her recent retirement party.

She retires from WYDOT with more than 24 years of service.

Motor Vehicle Services staff show off their blue and orange Bronco spirit during the AFC Championship playoffs.

Photo: Doug McGee

C.J. Brown, PlanningLocal Government Coordination; Timothy Carroll, Environmental Services; Patrick Reibe, Facilities Management-Security; Victoria Stonehill, Highway Development-Project Development; and Anthony Warburton, Right Of WayAdministration.

Photo: WYDOT

Retirements

Brown, Carroll and Warburton retire Three long-term WYDOT headquarters employees, C.J. Brown, Tony Warburton and Tim Carroll, retired recently.

Brown and Warburton left the agency last December, after chalking up 34.5 years and 33.5 years of service, respectively. Carroll, who had been with the department nearly 36 years, departed in January.

Brown, who attended schools in Cheyenne, joined WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in June 1979. He was in Planning for the entirety of his career and had been located in the Local Government Coordination section for the past decade. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a medical corpsman during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he worked in the Cheyenne VA Hospital.

Brown earned a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College and was elected to three terms on the Cheyenne City Council.

Warburton, who grew up in Cheyenne, first worked for the department during the summer of 1979 as a summer hire. He returned the following year as a engineering technician in Photogrammetry and Surveys, and in 1995 he transferred to Right-ofWay as a lands management supervisor. Warburton had been state land surveyor since 2007. He attended Northwest Community College, Laramie Community College and the University of Wyoming, and he is a licensed professional land surveyor in Wyoming.

Carroll had been with the agency since March 1978. He is a Cheyenne native who graduated from East High School and subsequently earned a civil engineering degree from the University of Wyoming. Carroll transferred into Planning in 1980 and since 1988, had been in Environmental Services, where he retired as a NEPA manager. Carroll enjoys playing the bagpipe and is a founding member of the Southeast Wyoming Pipe Band. n

Promotions and Transfers

Service Awards

David Chatfield, Patrol-Elk Mountain – 20 years; Robert Garner, Patrol-Rawlins – 20 years; Edwin Leyba, Laramie Maintenance – 15 years; and Brian Erickson, Pine Bluffs Maintenance – 5 years.

Ed Leyba, with Laramie Maintenance, proudly shows off his 15-year service award.

Photo courtesy District 1

Photo courtesy District 1

Photo: Mack Miller

Dennis Goodwin, Baggs Maintenance.

District 1

Mack Miller of the Saratoga crew took this photo of big horn sheep at the state line on WYO 230 in January. The herd obviously read the “Welcome to Wyoming” sign and knew they could make themselves right at home.

Brian Erickson, with Pine Bluffs Maintenance, received his 5-year service award in January.

District 2

Welcome

Service Awards

Van Frazier, Casper Maintenance; Asa Kidney, Casper Maintenance; and Joe McGuire, Casper Maintenance.

Cecile Gallegos, Driver Services-Casper – 40 years; Bruce Simmons, Torrington Construction – 35 years; and Charles Metcalf, Chugwater Maintenance – 25 years.

Promotions and Transfers Benjamin Walker, Casper Maintenance.

Photo courtesy Jeff Goetz

Retirements Rhonda Cochran, Casper Maintenance; and Basil Williams, Douglas Construction.

Simmons

Rhonda Cochran, formerly with Casper Maintenance, is all smiles at her retirement party this past December.

District 3

Welcome Kurtis Covert, Labarge Maintenance; and Phillip Snow, Lyman Maintenance.

Service Awards Day Adams Mark Day, Evanston Mechanics – 25 years; Michael Adams, Patrol-Evanston – 20 years; Carla Nichols, Patrol-Rock Springs – 15 years; Lony Sellers, Evanston Construction – 15 years; Lee Pence, Patrol-Jackson – 10 years; Karl Southam, Patrol-Jackson – 10 years; Sellers and Edward McPherson, Rock Springs Maintenance – 5 years.

February 2014

Nichols

McPherson

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District 4

District 5

Welcome

Robin Gray, District 4 Maintenance Staff. Gray retires with 39 years of service.

District 4 wishes him the best. He will be missed.

Aaron Owen, Ten Sleep Maintenance; and Josie Vaughn, Worland Construction.

Promotions and Transfers

John Vechnak, Newcastle Construction – 15 years; and Kirby Goodvin, Sheridan Maintenance – 5 years.

Photo courtesy Ronda Holwell

Goodvin

Service Awards Steven Paumer, District 5 Maintenance Staff – 30 years; Russell Dowdy, Thermopolis Maintenance – 20 years; and Joshua Hahn, Lander Mechanics – 5 years.

Josh Hahn of the Lander shop receiving his five year award from District 5 Equipment Supervisor Frank Hancock.

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Lead organizers of the Toys for Tots program in Buffalo are (l to r) Cyndi Geesman, Ron Wagner and Vicky Gearhart, Buffalo Construction. Thanks to these employees for helping with a successful community program.

le Afte yc

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Photo courtesy Ronda Holwell

Craig Reichert with Sheridan Construction fills his spare time as an up-and-coming rock star.

James Thomas, Lander Maintenance.

Maintenance foreman from Lovell, with ties to maintenance work on South Pass, is WYDOT’s new area maintenance supervisor in Fremont County.

Thomas, 52, began his new duties in December, supervising maintenance crews Thomas in Dubois, Lander, Riverton, and on South Pass. He replaces Don Detimore of Lander, who retired Jan. 3.

Thomas’ career with WYDOT began in Thermopolis in 1981 at the age of 19.

“I always thought plowing snow looked fun, and I hoped to someday work on Togwotee Pass,” Thomas says.

“WYDOT has been my life.”

Thomas never made it to Togwotee Pass, but he did make it to South Pass.

After 10 years in Thermopolis, Thomas worked on South Pass’ maintenance crew for 12 years beginning in 1991. He was promoted to maintenance foreman in Lovell in 2003.

“Jim has more than 30 years of experience with WYDOT, with 12 of those years being on South Pass,” said WYDOT maintenance engineer Ron Huff of Basin.

“He has a very good understanding of how the department works, and he likes

Photo courtesy Jim Cox

Gray

Service Awards

Vechnak

to work with people and solve problems.

He also has an excellent background in equipment and equipment operations.”

Thomas is a Thermopolis native, and he graduated from Hot Springs County High School.

Thomas lists his other work experience at gas stations, as a part-time sanitation worker, and at WyoBen, a bentonite mine/processing plant. He’s also volunteered through the years as a first responder and volunteer firefighter.

“I bring many years of experience to this new position, such as working on three different crews. In each area, I have had very different challenges that have helped make me who I am today,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to working again in Fremont County, and the new challenges this position will bring.”

Thomas and his wife, Stacey, have a 15-year-old son, Payton, and a 12-yearold daughter, Aspen.

ease Re c Pl

Retirements

In The Community SAGE Technical Services graduates For the group of young men in the Dads Making a Difference program, the holiday brought special celebration late last year. It signified a new beginning and much brighter future for their families.

The Dads Making a Difference graduation ceremony was held on Dec. 18 in the auditorium at WYDOT headquarters in Cheyenne. Each one recently graduated from SAGE Technical Services where they earned their Class A Commercial Driver’s License.

The program consisted of a five-week commercial driver training course with SAGE Technical Services and programs administered through the Dads Making a Difference Program (DMD or Dads) to build strong organizational, communication and relationship skills. These individuals began their program with barriers to success, but were successful anyway.

WYDOT has long provided a transportation system that is arguably the envy of the nation. Programs range from maintenance and snow plow operation, patrol and enforcement all the way up to road and bridge design – all things highway.

You may not think immediately of workforce development when you think of WYDOT. However, they are instrumental in

Photo: Doug McGee

seven young men

facilitating delivery of services and ensuring the competency of new or incumbent drivers.

Driver Services CDL Examiner Dale Cazier, under the direction of Support Services Administrator Tom Loftin, serves the commercially licensed citizens of Wyoming through programs ranging from commercial driver testing to third party testing administration.

Commerce in the state and the nation depends on commercial drivers. In 2011, truck transportation accounted for $126 billion of the total national gross domestic product. Many of those dollars were a direct result of goods produced here in Wyoming.

Alternately, Wyoming roads provide the direct conduit for products produced elsewhere. WYDOT routinely reaches out to employers and carriers in the state to provide tools and resources to foster and encourage safe product delivery. Equally important is their contribution to the Wyoming Trucking Association and its members, providing expert guidance and assisting in cuttingedge program development.

The tremendous amount of inter-agency and intra-agency support and coordination required to serve Wyoming citizens is most difficult to identify. Special thanks goes to WYDOT Public Affairs Officer Doug McGee for assisting with photos of the graduates; Administrative Assistant Natalie Crawford for coordinating use of the auditorium; WYDOT; and the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services for your commitment to the community and these dads is remarkable.

– Brenda Birkle, Director SAGE Technical Services

December and January Service Award Recipients

Total number of employees: as of Dec. 30, 2013

2,010

Photo: Rick Carpenter

One month ago Service award luncheons are held by the Transportation Commission for employees celebrating milestones of 25 years of service or greater.

Service award recipients at this month’s luncheon: (From left standing) Gerald Carr, Wayne Fox and Gary Krause. (From left seated) Valerie Padilla, David Gillaspie and David Hay.

2,014

One year ago

2,056

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Passings Betty Erickson Long term agency employee Betty Erickson died Dec. 31. She was 56.

Erickson, a resident of Afton, had been the regional supervisor responsible for Erickson Driver Services offices in western and southwestern Wyoming, including locations in Big Piney, Evanston, Jackson, Kemmerer, Pinedale, Rock Springs, and Thayne. She had compiled more than 28.5 years of state government service at the

What have you seen so far in 2014?

time of her death.

Erickson started with the state in 1984 as a clerk at the Alpine Port of Entry, which at that time was a component of the old Wyoming Department of Revenue and Taxation. She transferred to WYDOT during the state government reorganization of 1991.

Erickson left the agency in the fall of 1991, but returned the following year, and in 1992, she was promoted to supervisor of Driver Services for Jackson and Star Valley. She assumed regional supervisor duties in 2009.

Erickson was a Montana native and attended schools in Big Fork, Mont.

Funeral services were conducted Jan. 4 in Afton.

Submit your photos for the April WYDOT Outdoors!

Submissions deadline for

Submission deadline for the March Interchange is:

WYDOT Outdoors:

03/14/14

February 14

carlie.vanwinkle @wyo.gov

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Break Time Check your answers online at: employees.dot. state.wy.us, or if not able to access the employee site: www.dot.state.wy.us/home/engineering_ technical_programs/manuals_publications/ interchange.html.

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Name:

Or, just need to submit a new address so you don’t miss a single issue of Interchange?

Mailing address: Give us your name and address and we’ll be sure to put you on our mailing list.

Please fill in, cut out and return this slip to WYDOT Public Affairs Office, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009.

Or, e-mail Carlie Van Winkle at carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov.

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Wyoming Department of Transportation 5300 Bishop Blvd.

Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-3340

Pre-sorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Cheyenne, WY 82009 Permit No. 24

Address Service Requested

Law enforcement is on the lookout for buzzed drivers.

Always designate a sober driver.